Watch: Tim Tebow Launches His First Triple-A Bomb, Teammates Greet Him with Classic Celebration
The transition from Double-A to Triple-A hasn’t been very smooth for Tim Tebow as he pursues his dream of playing in the major leagues.
After a solid season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and an All-Star appearance last year, Tebow has struggled with the New York Mets’ top minor league affiliate in Syracuse this season.
But Sunday he broke out with his first home run in Triple-A.
Tebow drilled a blast into the weeds, literally, in right field in the third inning of an 8-2 loss to the Columbus Clippers.
#LetsGO IT’S TEBOW TIME! Back to back home runs by Tim Tebow and David Thompson put the Mets on the board! 4-2 Clippers lead pic.twitter.com/N8DXpsL9tk
— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) May 19, 2019
The best part was the reaction from his teammates — or lack thereof. He rounded the bases in what was surely a huge moment for him, but no one really made a big deal about it.
Tebow was standing there in the dugout probably wondering why he wasn’t getting any love from his teammates, when, on cue, they all mobbed him and celebrated his first Triple-A homer.
Hi fives all around for @timtebow’s first HR in AAA #SCTop10 ?? pic.twitter.com/SQMy2NDQev
— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) May 19, 2019
Tebow was promoted to Triple-A after hitting .276 with six home runs and 36 RBIs last year in Binghamton.
But it’s been a tough season so far as he’s hitting only .157 with 11 RBIs in 108 at-bats for Syracuse.
Tebow taking some hacks. pic.twitter.com/PJvI7PIYBn
— Clay Hall (@claywsyx6) May 10, 2019
“I think I’m improving. I’m working, developing,” Tebow said in an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday. “I think I’m getting better, adapting to some really good players, and I think that’s important.”
Syracuse manager Tony DeFrancesco told the AP that it’s an adjustment that takes time.
“Double-A pitching is a lot of younger guys that have good velocity on the fastball but no secondary pitches,” DeFrancesco said. “Here, Tim is seeing everything coming at him but the kitchen sink. They’re throwing fastballs hard in on him, they’re breaking balls, they’re elevating. He just hasn’t seen enough of that right now — and they’re throwing strikes.”
But he said he is impressed by Tebow’s work ethic and desire to improve.
“He’s going to try to beat the odds for sure. It won’t be for lack of effort, I can tell you that,” DeFrancesco said. “One thing to put in perspective, he’s only been playing pro ball three years. He’s climbed very quick. He’s at a level that maybe he’s not ready for at the current time, but the at-bats are going to tell.
“It’s just going to take maybe a little more time. He’s not the first guy, if it doesn’t work this year, come back to Triple-A again. There’s been numerous players that have two, three years of Triple-A. Just look at my baseball card, I’ve got three or four at Triple-A. It’s not that easy, and I played my whole life.
“So give the kid some time and some credit. It’s definitely a work in progress.”
So thankful for the hope we have in Jesus! #Hope pic.twitter.com/uMqhL7jCA7
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) May 16, 2019
Tebow knows the task at hand and is ready for it, he told the AP.
“I don’t necessarily set goals,” he said. “For me, it’s just being able to really go back and look every day at the film and know that I’m improving and constantly stay kind on that progression plan where I feel like every day, every week, every month, I’m improving. I feel like I’ve done that so far.”
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